Iranian President Inaugurates Power Project in Sri Lanka; Interior Minister Wanted for Bombing Absent

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited Sri Lanka on Wednesday to inaugurate a $514 million hydropower and irrigation project constructed with Iranian technical assistance. The Uma Oya project, started in 2010, faced delays due to international sanctions against Iran but is now expected to add 290 GWh of electricity annually to Sri Lanka's national grid and irrigate over 6,000 hectares of land.

During the inauguration ceremony, Raisi declared, "This project demonstrates that the West does not hold a monopoly on technology and that Iran is now capable of sharing its knowledge with other countries, including Sri Lanka." He also criticized Israel's "usurpation and oppression" of the Palestinian territories, calling for the expulsion of "usurpers," compensation for damages, and the prosecution of the "oppressor and usurper."

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed appreciation for Iran's technical support, emphasizing that the project is the second-largest irrigation endeavor in the country. He stated, "Without Iran's technical support, Sri Lanka would not have been able to execute the project." Wickremesinghe also stressed the need for the Global South to strive for their strength and autonomy.

Conspicuously missing from Raisi's delegation was Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, who is wanted by Argentina for his alleged involvement in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and wounded over 300 others. Vahidi, who led the Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force at the time, was reportedly back in Iran on the day of Raisi's visit to Sri Lanka.

During the visit, Raisi and Wickremesinghe witnessed the signing of five memoranda of understanding covering areas such as tourism, science, and sports. Iran is a key buyer of Sri Lanka's tea exports, and the country is repaying a $215 million debt for Iranian oil by exporting tea.

Why this matters: The inauguration of the Iran-backed power project in Sri Lanka highlights the ongoing cooperation between the two countries despite international sanctions against Iran. The absence of Iran's interior minister, wanted for a bombing in Argentina, also underscores the complex diplomatic challenges surrounding Iran's international relations.

The Uma Oya project, funded mostly by Sri Lanka with an initial investment from Iran, symbolizes the collaboration between the two nations on significant infrastructure development. Raisi's visit, the first by an Iranian president to Sri Lanka since 2008,

Key Takeaways

• Iranian President Raisi visited Sri Lanka to inaugurate $514M hydropower project
• Project will add 290 GWh electricity, irrigate 6,000 hectares, aided by Iran
• Raisi criticized West, Israel, called for expulsion of "usurpers" from Palestine
• Sri Lanka's President praised Iran's technical support for the project
• Iran's Interior Minister, wanted for 1994 bombing, was absent from delegation